Building Better Behaviours: Teaching Cats Right and Wrong

cats Cats are self-sufficient animals and possess traits and actions that can be traced back to their feral origins. Some cats show behaviors such as scratching their bodies, climbing trees and hunting for their prey. Such things are normal in satisfying their demands and overwhelming desires. Understanding these behaviors helps in managing and redirecting their action to a better behavior. 

Still, cats cannot make the distinction between right and wrong in the way that people do. They only respond to repercussions that surface right away, not the effects of their actions in the long run. Therefore, it is important to make sure we do not start to scold or hit them; rather, we should work with patience and try to slowly redirect their behaviors to better behaviors. 

This can result in fear, stress, anxiety and more when you use physical or verbal methods of correcting your cat. It can break a good relationship between you and the pet and even make behavioral issues worse. Cats are easily trainable, but it is advisable not to punish a cat since this leads the cat to become anti-social, violent or display other undesirable behaviors. Both positive reinforcement and redirection are more effective and humane approaches than scolding.

In this article, we will discuss five key methods that can help you make your cat realize its mistakes without punishing it physically or verbally. 

Method 1: Positive Reinforcement

This type of training simply means that anytime your cat is demonstrating the right sort of behavior, they should be encouraged to do so even more by being given a special treat. This can be done by using food, strokes or even toys. For example, if your cat scratched on the post instead of a couch, then appreciate it with a treat. The cat will, in time, relate to the post as a means of achieving certain outcomes, which are positive.

Steps:

1. Determine the particular behavioral pattern that you want to encourage.
2. Treats or toys should be easily available.
3. If you want the cat to do something, then immediately after the cat does that particular turn or behavior, give it the reward or treat.
4. In order to reinforce the behavior, always be consistent with the reward.

Method 2: Redirection

Redirection entails directing the focus of your cat away from a particular behavior that you do not want to an acceptable one. If your cat is scratching your furniture, clap softly beside the furniture and move the cat beside a scratching post. The essence, which is crucial here, is to offer an acceptable substitute with the same capacity and function as the thing in question.

Steps:

Step 1: Identify when the ‘‘negative’’ behavior takes place.

Step 2: Right substitutes.

Make sure you have proper substitutes that can satisfy the need created by the unwanted behavior. 

        For example:

• Scratching Posts: Place scratching posts in different parts of the house, which will prevent them from scratching the furniture of the house. 
• Chewing: Provide hard rubber balls or other safe, appropriate, chewable objects.
• Climbing: Build various lemurations with climbing and perching furniture such as cat trees or shelves.

Step 3: Interrupt unwanted behavior.

Interrupt the unwanted behavior when you catch your cat doing it. Do not raise your voice or cause any sudden movements, as a cat does not like being yelled at or scared.

Example:

If your cat starts scratching furniture, then you have to take the cat in your hands firmly and put it on a scratching post.

Step 4: Redirect to the alternative

As soon as you find out your cat has used the wrong place, gently lead your cat to the right place. Make the preferred alternative more appealing and interesting to the cat, so it will choose to go towards it instead of the undesired behavior.

Examples:

• Rub Scratching Post with Catnip: Cats find the smell of catnip irresistible, so you should rub the scratching post with it. Take the post into your hands, and one by one, rub its surface with your nails to illustrate its functionality.
• Chew Toys: Move the toy or treat so that it gets your cat’s attention and gets it to shift its focus to chewing on the toy, not cords or other items.
• Climbing Structures: Use items like biscuits and toys to encourage the cat to climb the cat trees or shelves, not the counters.

Step 5: Provide treats or rewards to the cat when it chooses the other option.

Method 3: Environmental Modification

Sometimes it is possible to stop certain behaviors by merely changing the environment. This could entail purchasing additional scratching posts, applying sprays or paint to furniture to act as a deterrent to the cats, or simply increasing the cat’s stimulation with toys, shelves, ramps and towers.

Steps:

1. Identify where the bad behavior takes place.
2. If you need to make some changes, for example, get some scratching posts or start using repellents.
3. Boredom in a cat is a very bad sign, so the cat should be given enough stimulating exercises, both mentally and physically. Play with it at least once a day, provide enough toys, take it out for a walk, and do many more activities. 
4. Observe the cat’s reaction and change the behavior as desired.

Method 4: Clicker Training

Clicker training is the process of using a clicker to indicate appropriate conduct, and then the dog is given a reward. The click sound reinforces response to the cat, and this makes it easy for the cat to learn what is being encouraged.

Steps:

1. The first step is to buy a clicker and be ready with treats, foods or something your cat likes. 
2. When using the clicker, immediately follow up with a treat for purposes of forming a connection.
3. Subsequently, with the clicker, the cat needs to realize that the click means reward, then point out desired behaviors using the clicker.
4. Always use the clicker and treats to reward the right conduct or behavior among the cats.

Method 5: Remote Correction

Remote correction means having to stop or correct undesirable behavior without having to physically or verbally correct the cat while making the cat not connect the correction with you. This will assist in eliminating unwanted behaviors without causing a strain between you and your cat.

Steps:

1. Identify Unwanted Behavior: The first step in the process is to notice the behavior you wish to change.
2. Use Safe Deterrents: Use non-chemical repellants such as a water sprayer, air horn, evasive spray or a gadget that blows air or generates noise upon sensing motion. Just make sure these are not toxic to the cat or something that the cat finds constantly scary.
3. Immediate Application: If the unwanted behavior is being exhibited, the deterrent must be used right away to stop the behavior. For example, if the cat is always jumping on the counter, then a simple prevention measure such as a motion-activated air spray will ensure that the cat does not repeat the action again.
4. Consistency is key: Ensure that you are consistent in using the remote correction while addressing the unwanted behavior. This aids in the training of the cat to understand that it is the behavior that is uncomfortable for you, not the act of being around them.
5. Positive Reinforcement: Where possible, the remote correction should be complemented with positive reinforcement. Praise the cat when it selects the right behavior, and accompany the praise with treats and/or affection.

The key to all these methods is being consistent. It takes time to train the cats. Some cats may learn faster, and some may take time to understand. Be patient and continue the process; eventually, you will see progress. 

So we hope we have come in handy for you to make your cats’ behaviours better. Have a great life with your cat!!